Draw with dots

What can we use if we don't have cotton swabs or markers?

If you don't have cotton swabs use a pencil eraser tip, rounded toothpick, small pom-pom, or the end of a paintbrush for dots, and if you lack markers try watered-down paint and practice dot sizes on a scrap piece of paper first.

My dots are smudging or bleeding — how can I fix that?

Blot excess paint from each cotton swab onto the paper towel before dotting, work in small sections and let paint dry completely (or wait a minute for markers) before touching or adding a second color close to the first.

How can I adapt this dot-painting activity for different ages?

For toddlers pre-sketch the simple outline and use markers or large cotton balls for big dots with close supervision, while older kids can use paint with cotton swabs to practice tiny dot sizes, create repeating patterns, and add detailed textures.

How can we extend or personalize the finished artwork?

Build on the activity by adding blended spots using a second color close to the first, repeating dot patterns across sections, gluing on small collage pieces, then sign your name, give it a title, and share on DIY.org.